Jeffrey Wade
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work. In most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as your disability persists. However, your benefits may be suspended or stopped if, after a 9-month Trial Work Period, your work and earnings exceed a certain substantial level. During the 36-month re-entitlement period after the Trial Work Period, your benefits will be suspended for any months your earnings surpass this level. This period allows you to test your ability to work while retaining your benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of going off Social Security Disability Insurance | Yes, if your health improves or you go back to work or become self-employed |
| Requirements for receiving Social Security Disability Insurance | Having worked in jobs covered by Social Security, having a medical condition that meets Social Security's strict definition of disability, and being unable to work for a year (12 consecutive months) or more because of a disability |
| Work trial period | 9 months |
| Earning limit during the trial period in 2025 | $1,160 before taxes per month |
| Extended period of eligibility | 36 months |
| Continuation of Medicare | Yes, under special rules called "work incentives" |
| Continuation of Part A (hospital insurance) | Yes and it's free |
| Continuation of Part B (medical insurance) | Yes, but you need to continue paying the premium |
| Number of awards to disabled workers | Generally increasing since the early 1980s |
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What You'll Learn
Returning to work
If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and want to return to work, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, you are required to report changes to your work, income, and personal information. This includes reporting any work activity if you are receiving disability benefits.
There are special rules in place, called "work incentives," that allow you to keep your benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to return to work. One such incentive is the Trial Work Period (TWP), which allows you to return to work for at least 9 months and still receive your full disability payment. In 2025, any month you earn over $1,160 before taxes will count towards this trial, and the months do not need to be consecutive but must fall within a rolling 5-year period. There is no limit to how much you can earn during these 9 months.
After completing the TWP, there is an "extended period of eligibility" (EPE) of 36 months, during which your benefits may be suspended if your earnings are over a certain level. If your earnings fall below this level during the EPE, your benefits can be restarted.
It's important to note that the Social Security Administration may review your case from time to time to verify that you still have a disability. Generally, as long as your disability persists and affects your ability to work, you will continue to receive benefits.
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Trial work period
If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and want to go back to work, you can do so without losing your benefits during a trial work period (TWP). This is one of the many Work Incentives available to SSDI beneficiaries. The TWP is a nine-month period during which you can test your ability to work while still receiving your full SSDI benefits, no matter how much you earn. The nine months do not have to be consecutive, and you must report your work activity and continue to meet Social Security's rules for disability.
Once you complete your TWP, you will begin your 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this time, the Social Security Administration will evaluate your work and earnings based on Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) levels to determine your eligibility for benefits. If your work and earnings are below the SGA level, you will continue to receive benefits. If your work and earnings are above the SGA level, your benefits will be suspended. However, if your earnings fall below the SGA level again during the 36-month EPE, your benefits can be restarted without a new application.
The SGA level is set by the SSA annually and varies based on whether you are blind or not. In 2025, the SGA is $1,620 for non-blind individuals and $2,700 for blind individuals. It is important to note that during the EPE, Social Security will also consider whether other Work Incentives can be applied to your situation, such as deducting impairment-related expenses from your gross earnings when deciding if your work is SGA.
Additionally, there is a safety net called Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) for individuals who return to work and are no longer entitled to benefits. If you need to stop working due to a medical impairment related to your original disabling impairment within five years of your benefits stopping, EXR may allow you to restart your benefits without a new application.
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Extended period of eligibility
If you are a beneficiary of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and are looking to return to work, you can do so without losing your benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Ticket to Work program to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment. This program provides flexibility and support to SSDI beneficiaries as they transition into the workforce, allowing them to keep their benefits while earning an income.
The first phase of the Ticket to Work program is the Trial Work Period (TWP). During the TWP, beneficiaries can earn an unlimited income and maintain their benefits, provided they are working towards their employment goals. This phase lasts for nine months and requires the completion of timely progress reports demonstrating a combination of work and educational activities.
After the TWP, there is a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE). During this phase, the beneficiary will receive SSDI payments for each month their countable income is at or below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. The SGA level is defined by the SSA as monthly earnings above a certain dollar amount. For 2024, this amount is set at $1,550 for non-blind beneficiaries and $2,590 for blind beneficiaries. If a beneficiary's earnings exceed the SGA level in a given month, they will not receive SSDI for that month.
During the EPE, it is important for beneficiaries to report their wages every month to prevent overpayments. Additionally, work expenses due to a disability may allow beneficiaries to earn more than the monthly limit without affecting their benefits. For example, if a beneficiary incurs $250 in transportation costs related to their disability, they can earn an extra $250 that month without impacting their SSDI eligibility. Similarly, if an employer provides a subsidy, such as extra paid breaks, beneficiaries can earn up to that amount more than the standard earnings limit without reducing their benefit.
The Extended Period of Eligibility provides SSDI beneficiaries with an opportunity to transition back into the workforce while maintaining their benefits. This program ensures that beneficiaries can test their ability to work while still receiving the support and security of their disability insurance.
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Work incentives
Trial Work Period (TWP)
During the TWP, which lasts for at least 9 months, you can receive your full disability benefit regardless of your earnings, as long as you continue to have a disabling impairment and report your work activity. After the TWP, if you earn above a certain level, your cash benefits may be suspended. However, if your earnings fall below the substantial level during the 36-month re-entitlement period, your benefits can be reinstated.
Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
PASS allows you to set aside money to go back to school, get specialized training for a job, or start a business. It helps you qualify for SSI or increase your SSI payment. The money set aside under PASS is not considered when determining your initial or continuing eligibility for SSI.
Section 1619 of the Supplemental Security Law
Under Section 1619(a), individuals can continue to receive SSI payments while they work. Section 1619(b) provides continued eligibility for Medicaid coverage. If eligible under Section 1619, individuals can receive SSI cash benefits for up to 2 months while in a Medicaid or public medical/psychiatric facility.
Continued Health Insurance Coverage
Even if cash benefits cease due to work, individuals can maintain health insurance coverage. Some people who return to work may purchase continued Medicare coverage as long as they remain medically disabled. Low-income individuals may be eligible for state assistance with Medicare costs through various Medicare Savings Programs.
It's important to stay informed about your benefit status and report any changes in your work, health, or income that could impact your eligibility for disability benefits.
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Reporting changes
If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must report changes to your work, income, and personal information. This is because, in most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as you have a disability. However, there are circumstances that may affect your continuing eligibility for disability benefits, such as your health improving or you returning to work.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your case from time to time to verify that you still have a disability. They will inform you when it is time to review your medical condition and keep you updated about your benefit status. You are responsible for letting them know whenever a change occurs that could affect your benefits. For example, if your health improves or you return to work or become self-employed.
If you want to test your ability to work while keeping your benefits and Medicare, you can take advantage of "work incentives." These are special rules that allow you to keep your benefits while transitioning back to work. One such rule is the Trial Work Period (TWP), which allows you to return to work for at least 9 months and still receive your full Disability payment. During this period, there is no limit on how much you can earn. After the TWP, there is a 36-month re-entitlement period (also known as the Extended Period of Eligibility or EPE) where you can work and still receive Disability benefits as long as your earnings remain below a substantial level.
To report changes to your work activity, you can complete and submit the Medical Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454) online through your personal my Social Security account. If you do not have an account, you can create one on the SSA website. It is important to stay informed about what you must report to the SSA by reading their publications, such as "What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can return to work and still receive your full SSDI payment for a "trial work period" of 9 months. After this period, there is an "extended period of eligibility" of 36 months where you can work and still receive SSDI.
Any month you earn over a certain amount before taxes will count towards the trial. In 2025, this amount is set at $1,160. If your earnings are over this amount, your benefits will be suspended.
The law requires that the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your case from time to time to verify that you still have a disability. If your health improves, you must inform the SSA, and your benefits may be suspended.
You can typically keep Part A (hospital insurance) at no cost but must pay a premium to keep Part B (medical insurance).
